New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

PHOTOS from "Matilda the Musical" at Pleasant Valley Productions

By John Posada

originally published: 07/16/2022


(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Pleasant Valley Productions is presenting Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical July 15-16 and July 22-23 - each night at 8:00pm - at Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center in West Orange.  The production is directed by Elizabeth Rogers, music directed by Daniel Mullen, and choreographed by Nicole Boscarino.  Photographer John Posada was on hand to take some photos.

Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts and could be the school pupil’s saving grace!

The cast (in alphabetical order) - Emma-Rylie Casper, Dominic Crisonino, Juliana Curcio, Sarah Decker, Marissa Gabrielson, Selina Ghosh, Elizabeth Gillen, Susan Hagen, Fabian Hattem, Cory Herbert, Frank James, Andrew Kapferer,  Natalie Kapferer, Ana Knezevic, Richard Leit, Cassandra Lindeblad, Sean Lynch-Littlejohn, Vin Macri, Sherry Mayce,  Emerson Meakem, Danielle Meola Valencia, Grace Pages, Cristina Patrao, Evie Reyes, Noelle Santosuosso, David Simon, and Marissa Tufaro.

General Admission are $10.00 and available at the gate, which opens at 7:30pm.  Bring a lawn chair.  Food concessions are available at each performance.

 




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



Matilda the Musical is a musical based on the 1988 children's novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The play features a book by Dennis Kelly; music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.  The musical had its Broadway premiere at the Shubert Theatre on April 11, 2013.  It took home 5 Tony Awards that year.

Here are more photos from the production.

The Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center is located at 4 Boland Drive in West Orange, New Jersey.

Pleasant Valley Productions (“PVP”) was formed in 2012 as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community theatre company. Based in West Essex County, they observed that their area of New Jersey had no theatre companies that focused on mentoring local youth in the technical and administrative, as well as the artistic aspects, of theatrical production. Keeping that in mind, their goals are to produce quality productions, mentor the development of young people in the technical, administrative, and artistic roles of a theatre and to develop new works and provide a platform for their expression.


ALL PHOTOS BY JOHN POSADA - If your theatre company is interested in having John Posada cover your plays, contact New Jersey Stage at [email protected].  He has taken photos during live performances and dress rehearsals.

About the author:

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.





Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



EVENT PREVIEWS

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theater Conservatory presents New Voices of 2026: On Vacation at Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University. This is a world-premiere, full-scale concert that takes audiences on a musical journey around the world. Three performances take place over July 31 and August 1, 2026.
Bergen Performing Arts Center’s Performing Arts School presents "Annie"

Bergen Performing Arts Center’s Performing Arts School presents "Annie"

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center’s Performing Arts School presents its Summer Theater Program's production of Annie from July 31 through August 2, 2026. The production celebrates the program's 15th anniversary and highlights bergenPAC's commitment to nurturing young talent and providing outstanding arts education within the community.

Mile Square Theatre's summer program students present Roald Dahl's "Matilda Jr."

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre's summer program students present Roald Dahl's Matilda Jr. from July 31 to August 2, 2026.  The summer program includes students aged 7-15.
Playwright Tom Cavanaugh Launches The Book Writers Group with Staged Reading Showcase on August 2nd

Playwright Tom Cavanaugh Launches The Book Writers Group with Staged Reading Showcase on August 2nd

(BOUND BROOK, NJ) -- The Brook Writers Group, a newly formed theater collective dedicated to developing original theatrical works in Central New Jersey, will present its inaugural Staged Reading Showcase on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at the historic Brook Arts Center (10 Hamilton Street) in Bound Brook. The event begins at 5:00pm.
Magnolia Productions presents "Are The Bennet Girls Ok? "

Magnolia Productions presents "Are The Bennet Girls Ok? "

(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents Are The Bennet Girls Ok? across two weekends from July 31 to August 8, 2026 at The Theater at The Navesink Library. This is an adaptation of Pride & Prejudice by Emily Breeze.

Gas Lamp Teens present "Fame: The Musical"

(GLEN RIDGE, NJ) -- Gas Lamp Teens present Fame: The Musical on August 7-8, 2026 at the Ridgewood Avenue School. Fame has inspired generations to fight for fame and light up the sky like a flame! 
Trilogy Repertory presents "You Can

Trilogy Repertory presents "You Can't Take It With You" in Basking Ridge

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Bernards Township Parks & Recreation and Trilogy Repertory presents You Can't Take It With You by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman across two weekends from July 31 to August 8, 2026 at Pleasant Valley Park Amphitheater in Basking Ridge. Admission is free; bring your own lawnchairs and enjoy the show! Showtime is 8:00pm.
The Village Playbox presents "Guys and Dolls"

The Village Playbox presents "Guys and Dolls"

(HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The Village Playbox presents Guys and Dolls across two weekends from July 31 through August 9, 2026. Hailed as the perfect musical comedy, this award-winning classic gambles with luck and love under the bright lights of Broadway.

Off-Centre Stages presents Stephen Sondheim's "Company"

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Off-Centre Stages presents Stephen Sondheim's Company weekends from July 31 to August 9, 2026 at the Kelsey Theatre. The production is directed by Jonathan Edmondson.

Two River Theater presents ¡Festejo! Celebrating Latine Stories Onstage

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater presents the 15th anniversary of ¡Festejo! Celebrating Latine Stories Onstage, from August 6–9, 2026. Curated by José Zayas, the annual festival, formerly known as Crossing Borders (Cruzando Fronteras), will feature five new play readings by acclaimed and emerging Latine playwrights.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore

Friday, July 31, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


Mala Aria

Friday, July 31, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ


Legally Blonde, The Musical

Friday, July 31, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ


Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore

Saturday, August 01, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


Mala Aria

Saturday, August 01, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ



 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info